[Crustacea • 2024] Incertasquilla chimera • A New Genus and Species of Mantis Shrimp (Stomatopoda: Tetrasquillidae) from Australia and Japan, with A revised Diagnosis of Tetrasquillidae and A Key to its Genera

Incertasquilla chimera

Ahyong, Nakajima & Naruse, 2024  

DOI: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruae038 

 x.com/ms_stomato

 

Abstract

A new genus and species of lysiosquilloid mantis shrimp is described from Australia and Japan. It is unique in Stomatopoda by its unusual telson ornamentation in which the short intermediate and lateral primary teeth, accompanied by a row of short, graded serrations inward of the intermediate teeth, partially overhang a row of minute submarginal denticles. Although distinctive as a new genus and species, Incertasquilla chimera gen. et sp. nov. does not fit clearly into existing lysiosquilloid families as currently diagnosed and, in some respects, shares a mosaic of features present in several families. Incertasquilla chimera gen. et sp. nov., however, currently fits best into Tetrasquillidae, where it is tentatively placed, although further phylogenetic study may show it belongs in a separate family altogether. In the light of the new character combinations presented by the discovery of Incertasquilla chimera gen. et sp. nov., a revised diagnosis for Tetrasquillidae and updated key to the genera are provided. The discovery of Incertasquilla chimera gen. et sp. nov. expands the described lysiosquilloid fauna to 14 genera and 30 species in Australia, and 10 and 16 in Japan, respectively.

Incertasquilla chimera gen. et sp. nov.

Shane T Ahyong, Hiroki Nakajima and Tohru Naruse. 2024. A New Genus and Species of Mantis Shrimp from Australia and Japan (Stomatopoda: Tetrasquillidae), with A revised Diagnosis of Tetrasquillidae and A Key to its Genera. Journal of Crustacean Biology. 44(3); ruae038. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruae038

  x.com/ms_stomato/status/1811321499430658346 

https://sites.google.com/view/hirokinakajima-website

[Invertebrate • 2024] Nymphozoon cinderella • A New Species of marine flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) from Japan

Nymphozoon cinderella 

Tsuyuki & Okuno, 2024 

DOI: 10.5343/bms.2023.0079 

x.com/yanonnama430 

 Abstract 

Marine flatworms in Pseudocerotidae Lang, 1884 are known as one of the most abundant groups among polyclads so far. To date, there have been specimen-based records of 36 named species in 5 genera in this family from Japan. The species of Nymphozoon Hyman, 1959 (Polycladida, Pseudocerotidae) are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but the only known report of the genus in Japan is based on a photo of Nymphozoon orsaki (Newman and Cannon, 1996) taken in the Okinawa Islands. In this paper, we describe a new species from Japanese shallow waters, Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov., which is characterized by having (1) square-shaped pseudotentacles with broad, black- colored edges and white tips, (2) dull grayish or brownish dorsal coloration, (3) a narrow brown-to-black line encircling the body periphery, and (4) a wide grayish dorsal middle band fringed with a brown-to-black line. Despite that the observed color pattern clearly distinguishes the new species from N. orsaki collected in Papua New Guinea, the p-distance based on partial (942 bp) 28S rDNA gene sequences (1.27%) was comparable to the intraspecific range for pseudocerotids. Further analyses based on more rapidly evolving genetic markers such as cytochrome c oxidase subunit I would probably be required to provide enough support to the molecular distinction between these two species having obviously different body color patterns.

 

Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov., 

 

 Tsuyuki, Aoi and Okuno, Junji. 2024. Nymphozoon cinderella sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae), A New Species of marine flatworm from Japan. Bulletin of Marine Science. 100(1);81-94. DOI: doi.org/10.5343/bms.2023.0079

 x.com/yanonnama430/status/1760215109031608754

x.com/umihaku/status/1760163111720341935

[Ichthyology • 2024] Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai • A New Cave Fish (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) with extremely small population size from western Guizhou, China

  Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai Luo, Fan, Xiao & Zhou, 

in Fan, M. Wang, J.-J. Wang, Luo, J.-J. Zhou, Xiao et J. Zhou. 2024. 

Xie’s Golden-lined Fish | 谢氏金线鲃  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1214.127629

Abstract

This study describes a new species, Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai sp. nov., discovered within a cave located in Hongguo Town, Panzhou City, Guizhou Province, southwestern China, with the type locality in the Nanpanjiang River basin. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on mitochondrial genes show that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage with large genetic differences, 1.9%–13.8% in mitochondrial Cyt b, from congeners. Morphologically, this species can be differentiated from the 79 species currently classified under the genus Sinocyclocheilus by several characteristics: absence of horn-like structures and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction, absence of irregular black markings on the body lateral and scaleless, eyes large, eye diameter 13% of head length, dorsal-fin rays, iii, 6½, last unbranched ray strong, with serrations along posterior margin, pectoral-fin rays, i, 13, anal-fin rays, iii, 5, pelvic-fin rays, i, 7, lateral line pores 74, gill rakers well developed, nine on first gill arch, pectoral fins short, tip not reaching to pelvic-fin origin. The number of Sinocyclocheilus species has been increased from 79 to 80 since the description of this new species.

Key words: Cavefish, new species, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

Lateral view of adult holotype GZNU20230304001 of Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai sp. nov. in preservative
A left side B right side.

 Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai Luo, Fan, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) absence of horn-like structures and indistinct elevation at the head-dorsal junction; (2) absence of irregular black markings on the body lateral and scaleless; (3) eyes large, eye diameter 13% of head length; (4) dorsal-fin rays, iii, 6½, last unbranched ray strong, with serrations along posterior margin; (5) pectoral-fin rays, i, 13; (6) anal-fin rays, iii, 5; (7) pelvic-fin rays, i, 7; (8) lateral line pores 74; (9) gill rakers well developed, nine on first gill arch; (10) pectoral fins short, tip not reaching to pelvic-fin origin (Table 5).

Etymology: The specific name xiejiahuai is in honor of Professor Jia-Hua Xie (谢家骅), for his contribution to zoological research in China. Before retiring from Guizhou Normal University, he described S. angustiporus, the first species distributed in Guizhou within the S. tingi species group, and his work has been an important contribution to the study of zoology in Guizhou, especially the conservation of critically endangered species. We propose the common English name “Xie’s Golden-lined Fish” and the Chinese name “Xiè Shì Jīn Xiàn Bā (谢氏金线鲃).”

 Cui Fan, Man Wang, Jia-Jia Wang, Tao Luo, Jia-Jun Zhou, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou. 2024. Sinocyclocheilus xiejiahuai (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae), A New Cave Fish with extremely small population size from western Guizhou, China. ZooKeys. 1214: 119-141. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1214.127629

[Ichthyology • 2024] Opsariichthys iridescens • A New Species of Opsariichthys (Cypriniformes: Xenocyprididae) from Southeast China

Opsariichthys iridescens Peng, Zhou & Yang,

in Peng, Zhou, Gao et Yang, 2024.  

虹彩马口鱼  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1214.127532

Abstract

Opsariichthys iridescens sp. nov. is described from the Qiantang and Oujiang rivers in Zhejiang Province and a tributary of the Yangtze River adjacent to the Qiantang River. It is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of morphological features: no obvious anterior notch on the tip of the upper lip; 45–52 lateral-line scales; 18–21 pre-dorsal scales; two rows of pharyngeal teeth; a maxillary extending to or slightly beyond the vertical anterior margin of the orbit in adult males; a pectoral fin extending to the pelvic fin in adult males; nuptial tubercles on the cheeks and lower jaw of males, which are usually united basally to form a plate; uniform narrow pale pink cross-bars on trunk and two widening significantly on caudal peduncle. Its validity was also supported by its distinct Cyt b gene sequence divergence from all congeners and its monophyly recovered in a Cyt b gene-based phylogenetic analysis.

Key words: Cytochrome b, morphology, opsariichthine, phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), taxonomy

Family Xenocyprididae Günther 1868

Genus Opsariichthys Bleeker, 1863

Opsariichthys iridescens sp. nov. A live male B live female;
Opsariichthys bidens C live male D live female;
Opsariichthys evolans E live male F live female.

 Opsariichthys iridescens Peng, Zhou & Yang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species, Opsariichthys iridescens sp. nov. can be clearly distinguished from its two sympatric congeners in the Qiantang River and nearby geographic regions (Tables 3, 4). It can be distinguished from O. evolans by the following features: (1) lateral-line scales 45–52 (vs 42–45); (2) scales above lateral-line nine or ten (vs 8); (3) pre-dorsal scales 18–21 (vs 15–17); (4) two rows of pharyngeal teeth (vs 3 rows); (5) maxillary extending to or slightly beyond the vertical of anterior margin of orbit in adult male (vs never extending to the vertical of anterior margin of orbit); (6) pectoral fin extending to pelvic fin in adult male (vs extending far beyond origin of ventral fin); (7) almost uniform narrow pale cross-bars on trunk and widening significantly on caudal peduncle (vs gradually widened, Fig. 3E, F); (8) lower jaw with one row of large tubercles usually united basally to form a plate in male (vs 1 row of moderate tubercles well separated). The new species can be clearly distinguished from O. bidens by the following features: (1) absence of distinct anterior notch on upper lip (vs presence of conspicuous anterior notch on upper lip); (2) two rows of pharyngeal teeth (vs 3 rows); (3) maxillary extending to or slightly beyond the vertical of anterior margin of ...

Etymology: Iridescens is the Latin form of the word iridescent. Here, it refers to the unique body color, which is brighter than that of any known species in the genus. In this study, we propose the Chinese common name Hóng Cǎi Mǎ Kǒu Yú (虹彩马口鱼).

 

Image of the habitat of Opsariichthys iridescens sp. nov., near riverbed with stones.

 

 Xin Peng, Jia-Jun Zhou, Hong-Di Gao and Jin-Quan Yang. 2024. A New Species of Opsariichthys (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Xenocyprididae) from Southeast China. ZooKeys. 1214: 15-34. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1214.127532

[Herpetology • 2024] Amolops huanglianshanensis • A New Species of the Amolops monticola group (Anura: Ranidae) from southern Yunnan, China.

Amolops huanglianshanensis

 Liu, Hou, Mo, Lu, Guo, Wang, Zhang, Rao & Li, 2024.

Huanglianshan Cascade Frog | 黄连山湍蛙  ||  DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2024.08.002 

 Researchgate.net/publication/384029819 

Abstract

A new species of the Amolops monticola group is described from Yunnan Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve, southern Yunnan, China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a moderate body size (snout–vent length 38.3–40.8 mm in adult males and 62.3–63.1 mm in adult females), head being longer than wide, nostril to snout tip distance being slightly smaller than eye to nostril distance, the presence of pineal body, distinct tympanum, vomerine teeth being invisible in males and weak but visible in females, distinct dorsolateral folds, the absence of outer metatarsal tubercle, the presence of vocal sac and nuptial pad in adult males, dorsal surface of head and body being green with no or a few black dots, and the presence of a few large flat white tubercles on the posterior inferior flank. Genetically, the uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and other species of the A. monticola group ranged from 3.0% to 7.6% in 16S ribosomal RNA and from 7.2% to 17.1% in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene sequences. Currently, the new species is known only from its type locality in Lvchun County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

Keywords: 16S, cascade frog, morphology, ND2, taxonomy

Amolops huanglianshanensis sp. nov. in life.
Dorsolateral (A) and ventral (B) views of the male paratype (KIZ2023092),
dorsolateral (C) and ventral (D) views of the male paratype (KIZ2023093), and
dorsolateral (E) and ventral (F) views of the female paratype (KIZ2023098).

Amolops huanglianshanensis sp. nov. in life.
 Dorsal (A), lateral (B), and ventral (C) views of the male holotype (KIZ2023094), and
dorsal (D), lateral (E), and ventral (F) views of the female paratype (KIZ2023099) 

Amolops huanglianshanensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species is assigned to genus Amolops based on the presence of enlarged digital discs, circummarginal groove on the discs of fingers, well-developed webbing between toes, and the absence of webbing between fingers. It is further assigned to the A. monticola group based on having smooth skin, side of the head dark with a light-colored upper lip stripe extending to the axilla, and distinct dorsolateral folds. It can be distinguished from other species in the A. monticola group by having a combination of the following characters: Body size moderate, SVL 38.3–40.8 mm in adult males and 62.3–63.1 mm in adult females; head longer than wide; nostril to snout tip distance slightly smaller than eye to nostril distance; internarial distance greater than ...

Etymology. The specific epithet is named for the type locality Yunnan Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve. We suggest the English common name “Huanglianshan cascade frog” and the Chinese common name “黄连山湍蛙 (Pinyin: huáng lián shān tuān wā)”.

 

Shuo Liu, Mian Hou, Mingzhong Mo, Yi Lu, Jimin Guo, Wen Wang, Wenxiang Zhang, Dingqi Rao and Song Li. 2024. A New Species of the Amolops monticola group (Anura, Ranidae) from southern Yunnan, China. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.08.002 

 Researchgate.net/publication/384029819_A_new_species_of_Amolops_from_southern_Yunnan_China

[Entomology • 2024] Talanga horakae • Re-description of the Genus Talanga Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae) and the Description of A New endemic Species from Indonesia

 

A, Talanga quadristigmalis; B, T. nubilosa;
C, Talanga horakae Sutrisno sp. nov. 

in Darmawan, Watung, Suwito, Narakusumo, Encilia, ... et Sutrisno, 2024. 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102323

Highlights: 

• The usefulness of female genitalia as diagnostic character in Talanga since their signa structures are species specific.

• A new endemic species Talanga horake is a new to science.

• An identification key of Indonesian Talanga based on external morphology and female genitalia characters.

Abstract

Six species of the genus Talanga Moore 1855 are re-described based on both morphological and genitalia characters. T. tolumnialis Walker is not included due to the lack of available of material. Morphological characters such as a tapering, oblique outwardly antemedial band on the forewing and two black metallic spots externally bordered by similar minute interciliar spots on the hindwing, are proposed as the most appropriate characters to define the genus Talanga. The study also reveals that certain genitalia characters, such as a spatula-shaped uncus, a simple valva with a medial rod-like plate, a long cylindrical phallus without cornuti, a bundle of pencil hairs at the coremata base in male genitalia, and a pair of ovate or circular signa medially bearing denticles in female genitalia, are also diagnostic of this genus. The description of a new endemic species from Foja Mountain, Talanga horakae sp. nov., is presented, as well as an identification key to Indonesian species, and images of adults and genitalia of the studied species.

 

Keywords: Diagnostic characters, Genitalia, Identification key, Papua, Talanga

A, Talanga quadristigmalis; B, T. nubilosa;
C, T. horakae sp. nov. #f (holotype) 

Talanga horakae Sutrisno, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The female of Talanga horakae, sp. nov., can be easily distinguished from allied species within the genus Talanga by the presence of a simple crown distad to the black medial band on the forewing, and a dark brown, curved, oblique line, running from the distad M1 to CuA2 on the hindwing (Fig. 2C; black arrows). Diagnostic characters of the female genitalia include a pair of ovate signa with scattered blunt denticles medially, dense sharp denticles along the margin, ...

 

Darmawan Darmawan, Jackson F. Watung, Awit Suwito, Raden Pramesa Narakusumo, Encilia Encilia, Agmal Qodri, Dhian Dwibadra, Djunijanti Peggie, Rosichon Ubaidillah and Hari Sutrisno. 2024. Re-description of the Genus Talanga Moore and the Description of A New endemic Species from Indonesia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae; Spilomelinae). Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2024.102323

[Ichthyology • 2024] Ophisternon berlini • A New Endogean, Dwarf, and Troglomorphic Species of Swamp Eel of the Genus Ophisternon (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from Costa Rica: Evidence from Comparative Mitogenomic and Anatomical Data

Ophisternon berlini   

Arroyave, Angulo,  Mar-Silva & Stiassny, 2024

Berlin’s Bloodworm Eel  ||  DOI: 10.1643/i2024055

 

A new highly troglomorphic and diminutive swamp eel inhabiting muddy subsoil in remnants of a tropical rainforest in the Caribbean versant of Costa Rica is described. Comparative anatomical and mitogenomic data support the distinctiveness of the new species and its placement in the genus Ophisternon. The new species is unique among Neotropical congeners in having: 1) a greatly elevated number of precaudal vertebrae, 2) proportionally longer and larger premaxillary, dentary, palatine, and ectopterygoid teeth, 3) palatine and ectopterygoid teeth in a single row, and 4) a small, narrow, and crescent-shaped gill membrane opening. A novel phylogenetic hypothesis of synbranchid relationships proposed herein, derived from comparative mitogenomic data, adds to a body of evidence demonstrating that Ophisternon is not monophyletic (with respect to Synbranchus). This phylogeny, however, strongly supports the monophyly of Neotropical Ophisternon, with the new species resolved as sister to a clade consisting of Ophisternon infernale + Ophisternon aenigmaticum. A pattern of northwestern lineage dispersal and cladogenesis within the Neotropical clade of Ophisternon after its divergence from Synbranchus is inferred from our phylogenetic results and present-day species distributions. Our findings also reinforce the notion that the classification of synbranchid fishes is in dire need of a systematic and comprehensive revision, particularly with respect to the limits and composition of the genera with presence in the Neotropics.

Type locality of Ophisternon berlini, new species.
 (A) Vantage point view of the Destierro River within the premises of Las Brisas Nature Reserve near collecting sites. (B) One of the artificial lentic bodies of water inside the reserve near collecting sites. (C, D) Photographs of the 2021 collecting site ... displaying the muddy nature of the soil at the time of collection. (E) Live specimen of Ophisternon berlini, new species, freshly dug out from the abovementioned site.

Unearthing of specimens of Ophisternon berlini, new species. Photograph displaying the process of pulling out live specimens of the new species from a block of mud collected at the type locality.

Ophisternon berlini, new species 

Berlin’s Bloodworm Eel

 

Diagnosis.— Ophisternon berlini is assigned to the genus Ophisternon by having a pectoral girdle connected to the skull by a forked posttemporal joining the supracleithrum at the level of the third vertebra vs. posteriorly displaced to the level of the fifth vertebra with posttemporal reduced to a simple rod and disconnected from the supracleithrum in Synbranchus (Fig. 4) and a branchiostegal membrane opening slit-like vs. small pore-like in Synbranchus (Fig. 5). Ophisternon berlini is unique among its Neotropical congeners in having: 1) an elevated number of precaudal vertebrae: ∼100 vs. ...

Etymology.— The specific epithet (a noun in the genitive case) is a patronym honoring Mr. Erick Berlin, a strong supporter of conservation and scientific research of Costa Rican biodiversity, discoverer of the population of swamp eel herein formally described, and owner of La Brisas, a private nature reserve that contains the type locality of the new species.

Jairo Arroyave; Arturo Angulo; Adán Fernando Mar-Silva and Melanie L. J. Stiassny. 2024. A New Endogean, Dwarf, and Troglomorphic Species of Swamp Eel of the Genus Ophisternon (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from Costa Rica: Evidence from Comparative Mitogenomic and Anatomical Data. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(3); 375–390. DOI: 

doi.org/10.1643/i2024055

[Entomology • 2024] Carmenta brachyclados • A Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Synanthedonini) from Guyana discovered with its hostplant indoors in Wales (United Kingdom)

  

Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, 

in Sterling, Cadet, Beasley et Lees, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/nl.47.130138 

Abstract

A new species of Sesiidae, Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, 2024 is described from adult specimens, pupal exuviae and larval borings which were accidentally transported to South Wales, United Kingdom. DNA barcoding and morphological evidence shows that this species is native to the Neotropics, where it feeds in the seedpods of the leguminous tree, Mora excelsa Benth. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) and that it is related to a group of seed-feeding species of clearwing moths within the genus Carmenta Edwards, 1881, naturally occurring in the Neotropics and southern Nearctic, although C. mimosa Eichlin & Passoa, 1984 has been introduced in Australia and elsewhere as a biological agent.

Carmenta brachyclados sp. nov.; 11. Holotype ♀ dorsal; 12. Holotype ♀ ventral; 13. External diagnostic characters of C. brachyclados;
14. External diagnostic characters of C. whitelyi;
15. Paratype of C. brachyclados ♀ genitalia slide number NHMUK014332461; 16. Paratype of C. brachyclados pre-genital abdomen.

Scale bars: 10 mm (11, 12, 16); 1 mm (15).

 Carmenta brachyclados Sterling & Lees, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hindwing with branch of M3 and CuA1 very short (1/10th of distance between edge of discal cell and termen), forewing with discal spot narrow and tapering below M3 towards dorsum, exterior transparent area elongate, with moderately convex outer margin, apical area predominantly black, reaching close to branch of R4 and R5, entire area between stalks of R4 and R5 scaled black (Figs 11–13). Similar to C. whitelyi (See Similar species) but differs in length of branch of M3 and CuA1 in hindwing and in shape of discal spot and exterior transparent area (Figs 13, 14). Female genitalia with sclerotised section of ductus bursae long and thin, ductus seminalis arising at juncture of sclerotised and membranous section of ductus bursae (Fig. 15).

Etymology: The specific name is derived from brachys (gr.) short; klados (gr.) a branch. The species is named after the characteristic short branch of M3 and CuA1 in the hindwing.

Mark J. Sterling, Daisy T. Cadet, Jordan Beasley and David C. Lees. 2024. A Success for Community Science: Carmenta brachyclados sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae, Synanthedonini), A Clearwing Moth from Guyana discovered with its hostplant indoors in Wales (United Kingdom). Nota Lepidopterologica. 47: 201-218. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/nl.47.130138 

www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2024/october/new-species-of-tropical-moth-from-guyana-discovered-in-port-talbot.html

[Herpetology • 2024] Noblella arutam • A New Species of Frog of the Genus Noblella Barbour, 1930 (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador

Noblella arutam 

Brito-Zapata​, Chávez-Reyes, Pallo-Robles, Carrión-Olmedo, Cisneros-Heredia & Reyes-Puig, 2024

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17939

Abstract 

We describe a new species of leaflitter frog of the genus Noblella from southern Ecuador, province of Zamora Chinchipe. The new species is diagnosed from all its congeners by having one or two tubercles on the upper eyelids; distal phalanges strongly T-shaped; phalangeal formula on hands 2-2-3-3; phalangeal formula on feet 2-2-3-4-3; heel with a small subconical tubercle; disc on all toes with papillae; dorsum brown or brown with gray, with V-shaped inverted or scattered irregular darker marks. We include a detailed description of its osteology and a study of its phylogenetic relationships. Finally, we evaluate its conservation status and discuss the threats that are currently impacting at the type locality.

Dorso-lateral, dorsal and ventral patterns of Noblella arutam sp. nov. in life.
(A–C) holotype ZSFQ 1882, adult female, SVL = 20.34 mm; (D–F) Paratype ZSFQ 1875, adult female, SVL = 17.25 mm. (G–I) Paratype ZSFQ 6234, adult female, SVL = 17.95 mm.

Photographs by Carolina Reyes-Puig and David Brito-Zapata.

Noblella arutam new species

Proposed standard English name. Arutam Leaflitter Frog

Proposed standard Spanish name. Rana de Hojarasca de Arutam

Definition. Noblella arutam sp. nov. (Figure 4–7) differs from its congeners by the following characteristics: (1) skin of dorsum shagreen, with scattered low tubercles more evident on flanks; skin on venter smooth, discoidal fold present, thoracic fold slightly defined; (2) tympanic annulus and membrane defined and visible externally, supratympanic fold slightly defined; (3) snout subacuminate in dorsal view, rounded in lateral view; (4) upper eyelids bearing one or two inconspicuous tubercles; (5) vomerine teeth absent; (6) vocal slits and external vocal sac present, nuptial pads absent; (7) fingers not expanded distally, finger tips acuminate more evident on Finger III, papilla ...

Diagnosis. Noblella arutam sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from all other species currently assigned to Noblella by the following combination of characters: upper eyelids bearing one or two inconspicuous tubercles, distal phalanges strongly T-shaped, phalangeal formula on hands 2-2-3-3, phalangeal formula on feet 2-2-3-4-3, heel with a small subconical tubercle, disc on all toes with papillae, more evident in toes II–IV and dorsum light brown, light brown with gray or dark brown, with V-shaped inverted or scattered irregular darker marks. Similar to the new species, N. naturetrekii and N. personina (Harvey et al., 2013) occur in the eastern slopes of the Andes of Ecuador. Noblella arutam sp. nov. differs from N. naturetrekii (characters in parentheses) by the presence of three ...

Etymology. Noblella arutam sp. nov. is named in reference to Arútam, the spiritual entity symbolizing divine power in the world of the Shuar. The Shuar people are native to western Amazonia, spanning Ecuador and Peru. Several Shuar communities reside in the Cordillera del Cóndor and its immediate surroundings, where this new frog species also inhabits. Arútam is believed to dwell in waterfalls, rivers, mountains, rocks, trees, and certain plants and animals (Delgado, 1986; Pellizzaro, 2005). This deep association highlights the profound connection between nature and the Shuar people. Through this name, we pay tribute to the Shuar people living near the type locality of Noblella arutam sp. nov., their ancestral lands and culture, acknowledging their tireless efforts and commitment to nature protection.

David Brito-Zapata​, Juan D. Chávez-Reyes, Matheo David Pallo-Robles, Julio C. Carrión-Olmedo, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia and Carolina Reyes-Puig. 2024. A New Species of Frog of the Genus Noblella Barbour, 1930 (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador. PeerJ. 12:e17939. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17939

[Herpetology • 2024] Oreolalax adelphos • A New Oreolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from the Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam

  Oreolalax adelphos

Nguyen, Tapley, Kane, Tran, Cui & Rowley, 2024

Mount Po Ma Lung Toothed Toad  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5514.6.1 

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Abstract

The megophryid genus Oreolalax is comprised of 19 species, most of which are endemic to China. A single species, Oreolalax sterlingae, is the only member of the genus known from Vietnam. During fieldwork on Mount Po Ma Lung in the Hoang Lien Range of northwest Vietnam, we encountered individuals of both Oreolalax sterlingae and another, morphologically divergent species of Oreolalax. Analyses of morphological and molecular data reveal that these individuals represent a previously undescribed species of Oreolalax which we describe as new to science. The new species, Oreolalax adelphos sp. nov., is sister to Oreolalax xiangchengensis and can be diagnosed from all other congeneric species by the combination of the following characters: (1) SVL of adult male 38.0 mm, N=1; adult female 46.2 mm, N=1; (2) narrow supratympanic fold; (3) no visible tympanum; (4) head longer than wide; (5) vocal sac absent; (6) absence of subarticular tubercles on hands; (7) basal interdigital webbing on hind feet; (8) ventral surface mottled with grey and creamy white; (9) dorsal surface of head and body covered in rounded, evenly spaced and similar sized tubercles; (10) presence of dark bars on limbs; (11) greyish white and creamy white spots on the flanks, and (12) a bicoloured iris. Oreolalax adelphos sp. nov. is only known from a single site of high elevation bamboo forest, where it is sympatric with Oreolalax sterlingae. Both Oreolalax adelphos sp. nov. and O. sterlingae are almost certain to occur in neighbouring Jinping County in Yunnan Province, China. The new species of Oreolalax likely qualifies for being assessed as Data Deficient in accordance with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categories and criteria.

Amphibian, China, Leptobrachiinae, Po Ma Lung, taxonomy

  Oreolalax adelphos sp. nov.

Luan Thanh Nguyen,  Benjamin Tapley, Daniel Kane, Tuyet-Dzung Thi Tran, Jiaxin Cui and Rowley J. L. Rowley. 2024. A New Oreolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from the Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5514(6); 501-524. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5514.6.1

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[Botany • 2024] Chiloschista breviseta (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species from Northern Thailand

  

Chiloschista breviseta Chanokkhun, Watthana & Schuit.,

in Chanokkhun, Muangsan, Suwanwaree, Malaiphis, Schuiteman et Watthana, 2024.

เอื้องพญาไร้ใบดอกขาว  ||  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2022 

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Abstract

A new species, Chiloschista breviseta (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Aeridinae) from Northern Thailand is described and illustrated, and notes on ecology and conservation status are provided. Chiloschista breviseta is morphologically similar to C. usneoides but differs in having much shorter seta on each side of the anther cap. Previous records of C. usneoides from Thailand refer to C. breviseta.

Keyword: Aeridinae, Chiloschista, Chiloschista usneoides, Chiloschista viridiflava, Flora of Thailand, new taxon

Chiloschista breviseta.
A. Habit. B. Flowers. front and side views. C. Dorsal sepal, petal and lateral sepal (from left to right). D. Labellum, front view and longitudinal half cut showing inside. E. Operculum. F. Pollinarium.

(Drawn by T. Chanokkhun).

Chiloschista breviseta.
 A. Inflorescence. B. Flowers. C. Dorsal sepal, petal and lateral sepal (from left to right). D. labellum, showing front, side and back views. E. Labellum with longitudinal half cut showing inside. F. Operculums. G. Pollinarium

 (Pictured by T. Chanokkhun).

Chiloschista breviseta Chanokkhun, Watthana & Schuit., sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Chiloschista breviseta is similar to C. usneoides in the largely white flower and the shorts accate lip with a rudimentary mid-lobe, but differs in having a short seta (<0.3 mm long) on each side of the anther cap (vs. a long, thread-like seta, >1.7 mm long) and in the Y-shaped callus apex (vs. T-shaped). It can be distinguished from C. viridiflava Seidenf. in having a glabrous abaxial surface of sepals and petal (vs. pubescent), margin of petals entire (vs. erose), and white sepals and petals, sometimes with a purplish pink median line abaxially (vs. pure pale green), and in having short setae (vs. setae > 1.9 mm long).

Etymology: From the Latin brevis, short, and seta, a bristle-like hair, referring to the short appendages on the anther cap, unlike the long wiry appendages seen in species like C. usneoides

Thotsaporn Chanokkhun, Nooduan Muangsan, Pongthep Suwanwaree, Rungtip Malaiphis, André Schuiteman and Santi Watthana. 2024. Chiloschista breviseta (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Taiwania. 69(4);  449 - 453. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.449

  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2022

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[Botany • 2024] Euphorbia zhongiana (Euphorbiaceae, subgenus Esula) • A New Species from Danxia Landform Areas in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China

  

 Euphorbia zhongiana  

in Li, Xu, F. Chen, Pu, Xie, ... et Liang, 2024.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.665.2.2

 

Abstract

Euphorbia zhongiana (Euphorbiaceae), from Zhejiang Province, eastern China, is described and illustrated as a new species. It is morphologically similar to E. fauriei, however, differs in its winter green habit, whole plant being glabrous; cyathophylls 2, broadly ovate, yellow-greenish; involucre 2.5–3.0 × 2.5–3.0 mm; the surface of ovary usually smooth, rare sparsely microtuberous; styles connate at middle towards base; apex slightly 2–lobed; capsules smooth without tuberculate or conical verrucae, rare sparsely and inconspicuously rugose; seed coat with reticulate wrinkle.

Euphorbia zhongiana, new species, morphological characters, phylogenetics analysis, Eastern China, Eudicots

Jun-Ping LI, Pan XU, Feng CHEN, Jin-Bao PU, Wen-Yuan XIE, Jun-Feng WANG, Jian-Sheng WANG, Hua-Min ZHU, Zheng-Hai CHEN and Wei-Qing LIANG. 2024. Euphorbia zhongiana (Euphorbia section Helioscopia, subgenus Esula, Euphorbiaceae), A New Species from Danxia Landform Areas in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Phytotaxa. 665(2); 96-108. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.665.2.2

 

[Entomology • 2024] Syntretus perlmani • Drosophila are hosts to the First described Parasitoid Wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Adult Flies

Syntretus perlmani Shaw & Ballinger,

in Moore, Amuwa, Shaw et Ballinger, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07919-7

Abstract

Parasitoid wasps are exceptionally diverse and use specialized adaptations capable of manipulating the physiology and behaviour of host organisms. In more than two centuries since the first records of Drosophila-parasitizing wasps, nearly 200 described and provisional parasitoid species of drosophilids have been identified. These include endoparasitoids and ectoparasitoids, as well as species attacking larval and pupal hosts. Despite a deep history of research attention and remarkable biodiversity, a wasp species that attacks and develops inside the adult stage of a fly host has not been described previously. Here we report the discovery of a wasp species that infects the adult stage of fruit flies in the genus Drosophila, including one of the most deeply studied model organisms in biology, Drosophila melanogaster. Notably, this wasp can be easily collected from backyard fly baits and has a broad geographic distribution throughout the eastern USA. We document its life history and unique host interactions, including egg-laying into and larval emergence from adult flies, and provide protocols to raise wasps from wild-caught host flies. Our results emphasize the need for ongoing research investment in insect biodiversity and systematics. As parasitoid research continues to uncover unusual biology and supports fundamental mechanistic insights into immunity, metabolism, ecology, evolution and behaviour, we anticipate that this wasp’s association with the laboratory model organism, D. melanogaster, will provide new research opportunities across the life sciences.

a, The life cycle of S. perlmani, including oviposition (1), early larval development (2), appearance of teratocytes (2′), late larval development and reduction in teratocyte number (3), larval emergence (4), cocoon formation and metamorphosis (5) and adult emergence (6).

a,b, The development of wasp larvae inside host flies (a) is accompanied by growth of wasp teratocytes (b, black arrows), which can be seen through the host abdominal cuticle and obstruct the view of the testes (b, white arrow). c, The second and following larval instars lack a head capsule and tail spike, and the final instar grows to nearly the length of the host fly (see Supplementary Video 2). d, Pupal development takes place within a white silken cocoon as is typical of euphorine wasps. e, Larval emergence is always from the abdomen and has been observed to occur between the second and third tergites (dorsolaterally) or laterally through a tear in the abdominal cuticle. f, The adult wasp (male shown) is small, yellowish brown and approximately 1.5 mm in length. Scale bars, 0.5 mm (a–d) and 1 mm (e,f).

Syntretus perlmani sp. nov.
a, Holotype lateral habitus. b, Holotype propodeum. c, Holotype forewing venation.

 Scale bars, 1 mm (a), 100 μm (b) and 400 μm (c).

Family Braconidae Latrielle, 1829

Subfamily Euphorinae Foerster, 1862

Tribe Syntretini Shaw, 1985

Genus Syntretus Foerster, 1862

Subgenus Syntretus Foerster, 1862

Syntretus perlmani sp. nov. Shaw & Ballinger, 2024

Differential diagnosis. Syntretus perlmani sp. nov is a tiny species that is distinct from other known Syntretus species by virtue of its small size (body length about 1.5 mm) and utilization of adult Drosophila flies as hosts. The antenna is shorter than the head and mesosoma combined, and there are 12–13 flagellomeres. Often the antenna has only 12 flagellomeres (the lowest number recorded for any North American Syntretus species).

Of the North American species, S. perlmani is most similar to Syntretus brevicornis Muesebeck, which also has a small body size and short antenna. Of the two species, S. perlmani is the smaller, with a body length of about 1.5 mm, as compared to 2.2 mm for ...

Etymology. This species is named after Steve Perlman (University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada), in recognition of his contributions to research and mentorship in the field of Drosophila–parasite interactions.

Logan D. Moore, Toluwanimi Chris Amuwa, Scott Richard Shaw and Matthew J. Ballinger. 2024. Drosophila are hosts to the First described parasitoid Wasp of Adult Flies. Nature. 633; 840–847. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07919-7

 www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2024/09/new-species-wasp-hidden-plain-sight-discovered-msu-researchers

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